Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Motoring Club ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

This policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Irish data protection laws.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you register for membership, we collect:

• Name and email address
• Password (encrypted)
• Membership type (Public or Dealer)
• Payment information (processed securely by Stripe)

Dealer Information

If you register as a dealer, we additionally collect:

• Business name
• Business address
• County location
• Phone number (optional)
• WhatsApp number (optional)

Usage Data

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our site, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent
• Device information

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services
• To process membership subscriptions and payments
• To send email notifications about news, deals, and updates (if opted in)
• To verify dealer applications
• To display verified dealers in our directory
• To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• To improve our website and services
• To comply with legal obligations

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfill our membership agreement with you
• Consent: You have given explicit consent for email notifications
• Legitimate Interests: We have a legitimate interest in improving our services and preventing fraud
• Legal Obligation: We must comply with tax and accounting regulations

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data with:

• Stripe: For secure payment processing
• Email service providers: For sending notifications
• Public Directory: Verified dealer information (business name, address, county, contact details) is displayed publicly
• Legal authorities: When required by law

6. Your Rights (GDPR)

Under GDPR, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your data
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request limitation of data processing
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Right to Object: Object to certain types of processing
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for email notifications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at: privacy@themotoringclub.ie

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. After account closure, we may retain certain information for:

• Legal and regulatory compliance (up to 7 years)
• Resolving disputes
• Enforcing our agreements

8. Cookies

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and ensure the website functions properly. See our Cookie Policy for more details.

9. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encrypted password storage
• Secure HTTPS connections
• Regular security updates
• Secure payment processing via Stripe

10. International Data Transfers

Your data is primarily stored within the European Economic Area (EEA). When we use third-party services (like Stripe) that may transfer data outside the EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

11. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

14. Data Protection Authority

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Irish Data Protection Commission: